News; Sell No Warplanes To Nigeria, New York Times Urges Congress

The New York Times on Wednesday called on American lawmakers to block the United States’proposed sale of 12 versatile new warplanes to Nigeria. 

In the powerful editorial, ‘Block the Sale of Warplanes to Nigeria,’ the newspaper argued that making the sale would be a mistake on the part of the United States, as President Muhammadu Buhari has not done enough to end corruption or to respond to charges of war crimes violations against the Nigerian Army.

“To defeat Boko Haram, which preys on citizens’ anger at the government, Mr. Buhari will need more than weapons,” it stressed.  “He has to get serious about improving governance and providing jobs, roads and services in every region of Nigeria. Until then or until Congress develops ways to monitor the planes’ use, it should block the sale.”